The midweek 1-1 draw at Millwall did not harm Fulham’s hopes of an automatic promotion place in a midweek festival of Championship football. They can thank their fellow Londoners for that.

Charlton surprisingly came away from Nottingham Forest with all three points and West London neighbours Brentford held Leeds to a 1-1 draw.

On Saturday, the Cottagers have the seemingly most straightforward game when they host rock bottom Barnsley who are rapidly running out of games to make up the gap, a gap widened by five league games without a win.

The Colliers have spent more seasons in the second tier of English football than any other club in history but look unlikely to add another one unless they start winning unlikely games.

Given that they finish their season with Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Brentford, they’d better start soon.

The Championship top eight on Feb 14, 2020

Other fixtures could make this a bonanza day for Fulham fans.

Table topping West Brom host faltering Forest and Leeds play host to Bristol City. Brentford are at on form Birmingham City who have won their last three and are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions. If the Cottagers win, the league table could look very beautiful indeed.

HISTORY

The sides have met 81 times with Barnsley leading the historical battle 32-26 with 23 draws. The Yorskshiremen have already beaten Fulham this year, 1-0 in August on the opening day of the season. Luke Thomas scored the only goal in the 13th minute.

The line ups that day were:

Barnsley: Sahin-Radlinger; Sibbick, Diaby, Andersen, Cavaré; McGeehan, Mowatt; Thomas (Chaplin 86′), Bähre, Wilks (Thiam 90′); Woodrow (Miller 90′)

Unused substitutes: Collins, Ben Williams, Halme, Styles

Fulham: Bettinelli; Odoi, Mawson, Le Marchand (Christie 33′), Bryan; McDonald, Johansen (Knockaert 65′), Cairney; Kamara, Mitrovic, Cavaleiro (Ayité 74′)

Unused substitutes: Rodák, Kebano, De La Torre, Rui Fonte

Barnsley however have a terrible recent record at Craven Cottage. There were no meetings between 1970 and 1981 and when the rivalry resumed, it was Barnsley who first struck gold with a 2-3 win in 1981. They’ve however picked up just four point out of 24 since.

They’ve lost their last three in West London, conceding nine goals and scoring two. They’ve lost six of the last eight with just one win in the last 39 years.

FORM

Recent form suggests Barnsley’s Craven Cottage woe is set to continue.

Barnsley last won on January 11th beating Huddersfield 2-1. Fulham are unbeaten in six league games, last losing on New Years Day at home to Reading.

TRAVEL  ADVISORY

There will be significant disruption to transport affecting those attending the game and both clubs have information for their fans

From Fulhamfc.com
Fans are advised that there will be no District Line service to Putney Bridge or Hammersmith on Saturday.

The whole weekend there will be no service between Acton Town / Richmond / Wimbledon / Kensington (Olympia) and South Kensington / Edgware Road.

The Piccadilly Line will also not be running to Hammersmith.

Fans can either take the Circle or Hammersmith & City Line to Hammersmith, or get a train to Putney.

Please plan your journey accordingly.

From BarnsleyFC.com

Due to possible delays on Saturday 15th February, the departure time for official Barnsley FC coaches to Craven Cottage has changed.

Coaches will now be leaving Oakwell at 8.30AM instead of the publicised time of 9.30 am